Part of me (a big part) wants to put this at a 0 for the audacity of covering Lazarus and say everything else is irrelevant, but I can't (please do not be mistaken, Lazarus is a 0 individually and one of the worst covers ever and fuck you for covering it). Taking the rest of the project into consideration, I'm underwhelmed at my best and bored at my worst. The first 2 songs are...fine? Pretty middle of the road material. It descends quickly from there into a pool of self loathing and ... read more

This transcends brain rot, which at least has some potential for entertainment, and reaches the depths of full on brain necrosis. There is no oxygen to the brain, no blood flow. Just dead tissue.

Okay so I understand that this was made on Ipad and I get why it was just a fun side project for Damon/2D to do during a tour. Just letting that be known. I also understand the idea of a product built on forcing creativity through self-assigned limitations, which itself is a great challenge that can bring great art. All of that aside, this was rough. I don't mean rough in an unpolished DIY way that some bands and artist use to create a unique musical aesthetic; I mean like trading silk ... read more

The synths are truly synthing here. For some reason reminds me of Disintegration, hopefully I'm not alone on this (Please don't let me be alone on this)

Fuck AI part 2: The Fuckening

Fuck AI

For me, it's impossible to listen to this album and not consider Lauryn's future beyond this album and the connection to mental health. There are some circles where people seem to believe that mental health issues can cause people to create art, when the reality is that these people create great art IN SPITE of their mental health, not BECAUSE of it. Lauryn's work here is obviously incredible. Painting a beautiful landscape with the colors of soul, hip-hop, R&B, reggae, and ... read more

Yeah so this is whatever the entire opposite of a sophomore slump would be. Coming here after Brown Sugar which I thought was quite good, this is on a whole different level. D'Angelo's Vocals are just as consistently incredible, if not somehow better. The instrumentation remains smooth but adds a lushness to the sound that sounds both grandiose and pillowy at the same time. I wasn't surprised to see ?uestlove listed on the production side because the drums and some other elements ... read more

Coming here after listening to House of Balloons feels like stepping out of a smoky nightclub full of drugs and sex onto the warm sunshiny streets outside (there's still sex but I can't work that into the comparison). We go from cold and dissociative synths to bright and plucky organs and silky smooth basslines. I must also say that I have heard how good of a singer D'Angelo is and that is frankly an undisputable fact to me. He has a level of control and sensuality to both his ... read more

5/1/26: 93->90

In a word, evocative. This whole project drips of atmosphere between Abel's incredible vocals and the dark and moody instrumentation. It truly sounds like the soundtrack to a place of total deprivation. You can practically smell the smoke, taste the liquor, see the bright lights reflecting off the bodies of all of the fellow party goers as they dance and sway almost in a trance. And then in the middle of it, you can see the presence at the core of this place, The Weeknd. ... read more

3/29/26: 82->77

Given that this is the lowest rated project by The Weeknd, I have to say I expected this to be a lot less enjoyable of a listen than it actually turned out to be. I knew "Call Out My Name" as the single going into this and I frankly expected a very top loaded project with songs added just to meet a desired run time. As I was pleasantly surprised to find, I think the rest of the tracks are all very solid. I particularly enjoyed "Try Me", "I was Never ... read more

Really great song, really wish people would stop putting the phrase "pee pee" in songs as grown men. Like I get the diamonds are yellow but please stop Push.

Pretty much the textbook definition of all killer, no filler. With only 5 songs, two absolute titans in all of the parts Shine On You Crazy Diamond sandwiching two great songs and one perfect song in the title track, every minute and note feels like the absolute pinnacle of what it could be. This album really covers the feeling of longing, for both another and for oneself after getting involved in the industry of something you do love but other people see as a means to make money. The phrase ... read more

If you're like me and the runtime has you intimidated, please know every minute is worth it. Take as many breaks as you need to get through it (I'm a horrible sitter so I took plenty of my own). It takes something really special for an album bordering on 50 years old still sounds as fresh and smooth and refined as this does. As easy as it is to encapsulate yourself in the constant stream of new music coming out every week, this is one of the classics everyone should take the time to ... read more

The beat goes absolutely crazy, and Pusha and Malice flow over it like they never lost a step. Amazing, really looking forward to the album.
Edit: Yeah the album delivered for sure

And now for the second acclaimed album before the newest album drops. First I'll say the Neptunes might as well be in the official clipse line up for how often they work together and, most importantly, the chemistry they have. Truly a legendary producer and rapper pairing of the 2000s. Secondly, this is pretty much a direct upgrade from "Lord Willin'". With more highs (The first 5 tracks in particular are all incredible) and less lows ("Hello New World"'s ... read more

Before the new Clipse album comes out next in a few weeks, I wanted to take a look at their most acclaimed albums. Here we start with Lord Willin'. First thing of note is the Neptunes' production which is an enjoyable combination of smooth flowing beats interjected with frantic beeping synths and other sounds that feel like they shouldn't work together but coexist well. Both Pusha and Malice drop some really memorable bars but I feel that Malice was the better of the two ... read more

As someone who didn't vibe as much as I had hoped with "Ants From Up There", this song summons feelings in me that I was looking for listening to that album. WOW. Just masterfully done. I know this gets brought up to the point of being cliche but the fact that this is a former Youtube rapper who has come to this point should not be overlooked. Phenomenal.

As someone with clinical depression, this felt like an uncomfortably accurate expose into my own thought processes. This feels both incredibly vulnerable and detached at the same time, like when you express your biggest fears and concerns that you are feeling with a friend or a therapist but in the back of your mind all you can think about is your own end and in a sense everything that you're feeling is pointless to you because one day you'll be dead and none of this will matter. One ... read more

You'll find a lot to enjoy here if you liked the first album. Instrumentation is great, especially the guitar work, and singing is still top tier. Still my preferred Jangle Pop band as of right now. Highlights include "Goodbye" and "I Feel". "Life and Soul" is kind of okay but everything else is varying degrees of good or higher. Not much else to say; if you like the first album or Jangle Pop/Dream Pop, give this a listen.